Usman Baba, the Inspector General of Police, has ordered the arrest and prosecution of skit and movie makers who use the police uniform without permission.

The order was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by Force Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi.

The statement also condemned the illegal sale of police equipment and supplies by traders in shops and open stores that are not approved or recognized by the police authority.

“As a result, the IGP charged all commands and formations, including the IGP Monitoring Unit, Provost Marshals, and X-Squad, with arresting and prosecuting, in accordance with the law, all persons or groups of persons engaging in the illegal sales of police uniforms and accoutrements within their jurisdictions, while film or skit makers who portray Nigeria Police Force officers in a negative light without applying for, and being duly issued a permit letter for such portrayals,

“The IGP also reiterates the Force’s commitment to ensuring compliance with the law, as the Force Public Relations Officer has been tasked with ensuring prompt authorisation for all applications for approvals of usage of police items in movies, in tandem with the existing laws and which will portray good values, impress positively on the Nigerian public, add value to our system, and provide police officers with modern innovations to actively carry out their duties.”

“The Inspector-General of Police strongly believes that such sanity in film production, regulation of sales, possession, and use of police uniforms and accoutrements will undoubtedly have a positive impact on reviving moral values and correcting wrong perceptions and ideologies toward crime commission in our society.”

“It is obvious that this step will undoubtedly reduce the proliferation of police kits, uniforms, and accoutrements, ultimately reducing police impersonator-induced crime in our society.”